Vikings fans stuffing Pro Bowl ballot box for C.J. Ham

The man they call Hammer is starting to get attention. Three nationally known Vikings have fared the best in Pro Bowl fan voting. Danielle Hunter is first among NFC defensive ends, Harrison Smith second among safeties and Adam Thielen third among receivers. And next? Fullback C.J. Ham is fourth among NFC fullbacks with less than a week before fan voting ends Thursday. “Really?” Ham said. “Huh, that’s funny.” Let’s just say it’d be Ham’s first Pro Bowl should he get enough votes from fans, coaches and players to leapfrog San Francisco’s Kyle Juszczyk for the NFC’s top – and only – spot for a fullback on the roster. Even if Ham falls short, the Duluth Denfeld High School graduate is well on his way toward making a name for himself in his third NFL season. Ham’s humble approach is fitting for a fullback, but his name sparks adoration and meat-based puns across social media sites like Twitter after one of his limited seldom touches on offense, which include 11 catches for 85 yards this season. “I feel the love,” Ham said. “People are saying my name, saying good job and stuff like that. It’s not what I’m looking for. My wife is the one who brings everything to my attention most of the time, because I’m pretty oblivious to it. But it’s nice to know fans out there are voting for me. You know, hopefully I do make it.” Stoking the fanfare is the Vikings’ desire to find roles for… [Read full story]